Reforming the Union - Turgut Cansever in Istanbul

Turgut Cansever (1920-2009) is the most referenced architect, urban planner, and distinguished intellectual in the context of twentieth-century Turkish architecture. Positioned outside the mainstream architectural sphere in Turkey through both his designs and writings, Cansever embraces the idea of building the Turkish city on Ottoman roots, which he finds more characterful than imported European models.

In this work, which is the first monograph on Cansever in Western languages, Martinelli analyzes Cansever's works both in terms of continuity with the teachings of his mentor Sedad Eldem and through the main theories regarding the development of the Turkish-Ottoman city and architecture, especially in Istanbul.

The main theme of this journey is the urban value of architectural design that resolves dilemmas between the past and the contemporary. Although built in different periods, the architectures of Mimar Sinan, Sedad Eldem, and Turgut Cansever are an expression of a form of modernity based on the reinterpretation of the layered structure of the existing city.

The author also takes a stance on the issue of public space design, a significant topic of discussion in both Turkey and Europe, by drawing on Cansever's Beyazıt Square project.

"In this book, Martinelli adopts a respectful attitude towards her subject/person of research. She genuinely strives to understand Cansever's architectural thought and practices. So much so that, going beyond the various prejudices and knowledge gaps prevalent in Turkey, she presents one of the best texts that understands and analyzes the Beyazıt Square project for the reader."
- Halil İbrahim Düzenli

Product Features

• Author: Eliana Martinelli
• Translator: Ahmet Erdem Tozoğlu
• Publisher: Klasik Yayınları
• Publication Date: March 2025
• Page Count: 183
• Language: Turkish
• Binding Type: Paperback
• Paper Type: Book Paper
• ISBN: 9786259762265